Not really, I think if you are true to yourself, a rant like this wouldn't sway you. And to be honest, if you are the sort of prson who does, then I believe most dealers would preffer you kept away.


I preffer the term Motorcyclist, and I would define that as someone who does ride the bike as thier main or preffered form of transport, Personally I am in the coverted possition of having a number of bikes to choose from, some don't and therefore lay thier bikes up during the 'salty season' nothing wrong with that at all (I lay the XJR up, mainly because I hate cleaning it!). I would further define a motorcyclist as having a real and broad interest in all aspects of the Motorcycle world, be it racing, renovating, adventure, Enduro, Bike meets, etc. I think when your main interest is watching a bit of Racing on the TV then getting out there to 'get your knee down' then you aren't really a motorcyclist.. You are a living accident waiting to ruin someones day.

The term 'Biker' I think is a little more broad, and often has negative reactions from Joe Public, using Motorcyclist is less emotive and doesn't bring about the same responses. It allows us normal rational riders to separate ourselves from the Knobs. Another term I like to use is Motorcycle Enthusiast which breaks down even more barriers, probably as it brings about images of old men in cloth caps riding BSA & Royal Enfields around at 20mph!.

As for 'Sunny Sunday Riders' 'Power Rangers' and 'Weekend Road Warriors', these are derogatory terms generaly used by me (and many others) to descibe the middle aged idiots who wheel thier 100+bhp machines three or four times a year (when the weather is nice), ride like knobs, giving 'real' 'motorcyclists' a bad reputation and add to the accident statistics.

Here in Cumbria we have lots of these idiots, and the first sunny warm Sunday of the year will see at least one Power Ranger going home in a box. In nearly all cases the contributing factor to the severity of the accident is speed.

But you do have some intersting points to riase (loopydog).

[quote=Keithblade;118008]

However when I use the expression 'real biker' I am referring to the ones who DONT wheel their bikes out on a sunny Sunday and then ride like useless tw&ts nearly killing us in the process because they feel they are equal to Valantino Rossi. I along with other members on this forum experienced such bad riding last year that endangered both me and my partner! Real bikers use their chosen style of bike(s) as both a favoured mode of transport and something to cherrish and adore. The riders I have in mind use the bike as a means of creating an addrenilin induced buzz with scant regard for their own or anybody elses safety. Ride in the Yorkshire Dales and other such areas and you will understand what I mean!

quote]

I've thought long and hard about commenting on some of the posts made regarding 'real bikers' and decided that I need to put another slant on the matter:

I ride my Tenere right through the year not only because it's a laugh to ride but because the power delivery is so soft that it's never going to cause me any anguish on a damp road.

I've also got an old BMW K100 outfit that I take great pleasure in riding along in a straight line with the chair wheel 12" off the road. Now some would say that I'm irresponsible for doing this but I'd counter that I do it because I can.

I've also got a heavily modified '05 Kawasaki ZX10R that I doubt if I'll ever sell because they just don't make bikes as stupid as that any more.

I don't see the point in having a pop at anyone who rides a bike because even if they only do 250 miles on sunny days they're still a 'biker' as far as I'm concerned. I must look like everyones worst nightmare when I get off my Kawasaki because I'm the middle aged bloke that so many people complain about but I've ridden bikes continuously for the last 34 years (including several years of racing at a reasonable level) and I'd argue that I can actually ride a motorbike fairly well.

I'm not trying to start an arguement, I'm just trying to make the point that we're all riding bikes for different reasons but none of those reasons make us more of a biker than any other person you see riding a bike.

Hi Keith,

First point,

Forgive me please, I had no idea we had an heirarchy in bikes? Recreational, Sunday rider, sunny day rider, all weather rider, wow they must be the 'real bikers'???
Once a biker has paid over his cash and becomes the owner of a bike it is his privilege and right to use said bike whenever he or she desires. I don't think we need to even ride it at all to hold an opinion about the Tenere (in terms of quality). To my mind I paid for one, own one and by that fact I feel I have earned the right to comment on the Tenere, how, when or how often I use it is not even part of the equasion.
Firstly the general public, STILL, after all these years, have a bias against a biker and now I read that even amoung bikers there is this 'attitude' toward fellow bikers.

Second point,

The quality of the Tenere or any of the Yamaha made or assembled in Italy is not comparable to the Yamaha made in Japan. I speak from experience with Yamaha going back well over 40 years. As many sensible members write, no bike is perfect, this is NOT part of the debate. The crux of the matter is simply the quality of bikes made under the name Yamaha in Italy are far from satisfactory in quality. I paid for one, I own one, I ride one and that is my opinion. My warranty claims will soon reinforce this point.

My grandsons brand new XT125X is literally disgraceful and I shall shortly be discussing warranty work with the garage. Four months old and several bolts and screws have had to be replaced due to rust? The wheel rimes and spokes are unbelievable. I paid around 12,000euro, �11,500 for both bikes cash. I love the Tenere and the little XT125X, this does not prevent me from looking at them with great disappointment regarding the 'quality'!
I own both and think they are both lovely looking functional bikes BUT I am under little illusion that they are not made to last. Sorry, but there appears to be more than a hint of the old Japanses mentality of built in obsolescence in these bikes made-assembled in Italy. no way are they the quality of the Japanese Yamaha. Not only my opinion but the co owner of the garage on the service side who is not interested in the sales. He spent hours this week showing me his 35-40 year old 750 Kawasaki that is far superior to the Tenere! And from my experience of bikes from the past the kwaker was the worst quality of the big four Japanese bikes.

I mean no confrontation at all in my post. I do desire to see some honesty and much less condemnation of fellow bikers be they 'Sunday' or 'professional' riders. There are qualty issues with both the aforementioned bikes and Yamaha should be informed or they will see sales drop. That serves no purpose to any of us now does it?

Please keep safe my friend,

Best,

Ryland

Hi Ryland,

Not wishing to dwell off topic too much but as I see it the "attitude" towards fellow bikers that you consider to be prevalent here is actually an abhorrence to selfish/inconsiderate/dangerous riding which, whilst can occur on any day of the week or any week of the year, appears most significant when the sun is out on a Sunday. Sure, not all of the Sunny Sunday brigade are bad riders - just like not all Boy Racers are boys!
Be it bike or car, race track speed/aggression should be left to the race track.

Regards,
Rick

PS Keep it safe AND considerate

Yep I think you've hit the nail on the head there Rick, because its those selfish/inconsiderate/dangerous types that get noticed by Joe public and give us all a bad name.:seasaw:

Hi Rick,

Thanks for the reply.

Perhaps I have missed the point of the thread? I understood we where debating the quality of the Tenere not the way we drive them nor the day of the week, lol?
There are good, considerate riders just as there are amazingly suicidal riders.
To my own horor, and great anxiety-fear, my own eldest son treats the roads as one would a race track. I am sick and tired of arguing with him about it? Grey hairs are due to him and speed, lol I wear a nappy when in a car with him! NO WAY would you get me pillion on a bike. The thought makes me feel ill.
He tells me I drive like an old lady? Go figure.

Regardless, I like the Tenere very very much, took me some getting used to and I am still re-learning. Step by step. My only point here is we should not be blinded by our passion for the Tenere and ignore the quality issues. Doing so only compounds the problems.

Look after yourself,

Sincerely,

Ryland

I think one of the problems with riders that go at extremely fast speeds, is they just dont see the dangers.
Bends for instance, how do they know the road is clear around the bend. Even on a straight road a farmer pulling out of a gateway wont be expecting something to be approaching at 100+mph.
Of course if nothing nasty has happened to such riders (and I hope it doesnt), then they think they are sadly invincable! :ytiller:

"My only point here is we should not be blinded by our passion for the Tenere and ignore the quality issues. Doing so only compounds the problems."

Sounds like there should be a consolidated poll for all the faults/bad points - and, for the sake of balance, all the good points. :seasaw: Err........assuming there isn't already one?
This coupled with adequate feedback/warranty claims to dealers might help encourage Yamaha to iron out any issues. (Proper Cush Drive rubber, Stainless steel spokes please!:eusa_pray:)

Not had any serious issues with mine though - other than far too many miles since new.

I think the chap in MCN was one of those people (and there have been a few) who thought they were getting a BMW GSA for half price. Obviously they weren't.

As for the criticism of the engine bars - I can guarantee those are made by a third party manufacturer for Yamaha, and sold as branded (like virtually all bike and car accessories)...

Perhaps I should send MCN a few photos of my bike...

J xx

You go girl, show 'em the money!! :BaseballHat_LNY2EG::eusa_clap::chairfall: